Tenth Mine Safety Event Hones Skills

By CART, Inc.

BLUEFIELD – Eight of the region’s mine rescue teams gathered today at Bluefield State College for its tenth annual mine rescue competition. Prepared by the Welch Smoke Eaters Post #1, the competition challenges teams to use skills and technology to solve a realistic rescue scenario within a set time limit. The team finishing the course in the shortest time with the fewest mistakes wins the challenge.

Today’s contest played out on the June O. Shott Field, with representatives from the Mine Safety and Health Administration providing a mobile command center that treated the scenario as a real incident. Team members in the command center maintained constant communication with their counterparts on the field, digitally mapping the course and recording real-time gas readings as those on the field advanced through the problem.

First place in the contest was taken by Wellmore Red, second place by Buchanan Red, and third place by Arch Coal Beckley Blue. Other teams competing included Arch Coal Beckley Gold, Buchanan Black, Tri-State A, Southern Pocahontas, and the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

In 1940, the Welch Smoke Eaters Post #1 became the nation’s first organization set up specifically to give mine rescue teams a forum for sharing their experiences to improve outcomes, according to Mike Plumley of Brick Street Insurance. “The economics of the industry have changed drastically, and today’s event gave us a chance to come together with mining companies and regulatory agencies to share ideas about keeping safety at the forefront,” stated Plumley.

The competition is hosted by BSC and sponsored by Brick Street Insurance and the Center for Applied Research and Technology, Inc., (CART).

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